Message from Dean Coben: Season of fulfillment and gratitude

Message from Dean Coben, sent on Thursday, Dec. 16: 

Dear Colleagues: 

Congratulations on the successful conclusion to another challenging semester. As we head into the holidays and bid farewell to, yet again, an extraordinary year of ups and downs, I’m filled with awe and gratitude as I reflect on our school’s many accomplishments. You’ll find some highlights from the year on our website and, hopefully, be reminded that none of it would be possible without our collective ‘village’ – i.e., the exceptional students, faculty and staff who make up the School of Public Health. You are the key to distinguishing our school from the rest. You do it well, and I’m grateful for each of you. 

I’m particularly proud of our August and December graduates, who we will formally recognize this Saturday, December 18, during commencement. Our ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in the Coliseum, where you can attend in person or watch via livestream. Soon, the School of Public Health will have 22 new alumni members representing our doctoral, graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs. Please join me in congratulating them! 

I hope this holiday season affords you time with loved ones and gives you the opportunity to reflect on what matters most in your life. May you return in 2022 feeling fulfilled and recharged. 

Wishing you and yours peace, health and happiness, both now and throughout the new year. 

Best wishes, 

Jeff

P.S.: Thanks to those who were able to make it to last week’s holiday open house. It was so good to see each of you. I value our school’s spirit of community and camaraderie and deeply appreciate the friendships we share with one another. Here, you’ll find a few photos from our gathering. I look forward to the next one. Happy Holidays!  

 

/ Jeffrey H. Coben, MD 

Associate Vice President for Health Affairs

Dean, School of Public Health

West Virginia University